Overall, the college met and exceeded its enrollment goals for the 2012-13 academic year.

Indeed, for seven years running now, Plattsburgh State has had so many applicants that it has turned some away. This year, it turned away more than half, accepting only 45.6 percent.

And that incoming class is strong academically, according to Richard Higgins, associate vice president for enrollment management and director of admissions at the college.

Of the 985 freshman admitted, 40 percent are merit award winners.

More than 25 percent of the incoming freshman class come from ethnically diverse backgrounds. That is up from 23 percent last year and 20.10 percent in 2010, and it does not include international students.

More than 100 of the new students come from around the world, including China, Japan, Ethiopia and Korea. More than 60 countries sill be represented at the college this fall.

“I came here because I wanted a change,” said Dimitri Turner, of St. Kitts and Nevis. “I generally don’t like being hot.”

He finds Plattsburgh State conducive for studying and filled with mostly friendly people.

Further, Plattsburgh State received deposits from more than 650 new transfer students. Many of them come from Clinton, Adirondack, Hudson Valley and North Country community colleges.

Nearly 120 new students enrolled at the Branch Campus in Queensbury and the school’s extension site at Hudson Valley Community College. A total of 96 of them are undergraduates, with 21 graduate students.

“We know our faculty and staff are doing something – indeed, many things – right because of the accolades we have just received from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the growth in graduation rates and our success in not just meeting, but exceeding, our enrollment goals,” said Plattsburgh State President Dr. John Ettling. “Much credit goes to all of the individuals who make up our campus community for continuing to make this a place where students want to be.”